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Home Seller Open House Check List

By
Home Stager with ReDesigned To Shine

Home Seller Open House Check List

As your Professional Home Stager, I want to go over a few things to do before you show the house.  This will make the most out of your potential buyer traffic and appeal to all of their senses while creating "Emotional Connection Points" for them to respond to throughout your home.

Curb Appeal

Park cars down the street and away from driveway and front of house in order to give buyers clear picture of home

Remove any front lawn debris, toys, trashcans, pet debris etc.

Garage doors down

Lay out "Emotional Connection Points" we have prepared: i.e. bench with pillows or bistro table with settings

 

Interior

Quickly go through home and pick up any extraneous items i.e. toys, clothes

Turn ON every light in the home and light candles (only in safe areas when you know your Realtor will be around)

Open all blinds and window coverings for maximum light (unless there are privacy or view issues)

Spray and wipe bathroom and kitchen counters

Quick vacuum high traffic areas (if time)

Fluff couch pillows, place throw strategically, organize coffee table

Close TV cabinet doors

Turn on interior lights in china cabinet or shelves

Set out dress towels in bathroom

Toilet seats down

Fluff beds and pillows in all bedrooms

Keep music on low

Always have fresh flowers on hand during home selling months and place them through out home (particularly in bathrooms and bedrooms)

Bake chocolate chip cookies in oven and give to guests along with a pitcher of lemonade on tray or coffee brewing on a tray

Ideally have windows open but make sure the home is comfortable temperature

All doors in house should be open as far as they can go EXCEPT closet doors (unless walk in)

Set out "Emotional Connection Points" in each room; ie set out kitchen place settings, bed tray, patio trays etc.

Remove any pet dishes, litter boxes completely

Empty all garbage cans (especially in kitchen)

Judi Boad
SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE - Scottsdale, AZ

Great tips Michelle. You can't take away first impressions. Home should smell good, be free of clutter and debris!

I always ask our clients to pack excess clothes and personal effects and stack them neatly in the garage. You feel like there is much more space in a house that doesn't have the closets overflowing with clothes and shoes that are not in season.

They also have a head start on the moving process this way!

Jul 13, 2009 01:31 PM
Bob Foster
Century 21 Lanthorn R. E. Ltd. Belleville, Ontario - Belleville, ON

Thanks, Michelle. A great list of recommendations.

Jul 13, 2009 01:33 PM
Anthony Stokes-Pereira
Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty - Nanuet, NY
Realtor

Hi Michelle;

Great post with Open House tips, thank you for sharing. Good Luck!

Jul 13, 2009 01:42 PM
Liz Schomers
Pleasant Ridge, MI

Especially liked your tip re: "emotional connection points".  That makes the difference!

Jul 13, 2009 01:54 PM
Tina Allen
Exit Realty Tri-County - Mount Dora, FL

Great post, thanks for sharing.

Jul 13, 2009 01:54 PM
Eric Reid
Renaissance Realty Group of Keller Williams Atlanta Partners - Lawrenceville, GA

Good List .. I am going to pass it to my sellers for this weeks open house

Jul 13, 2009 02:21 PM
Michelle Molina
ReDesigned To Shine - Midlothian, VA

I have a Closet Checklist as well.... If I can find my actual file, I'll post it. But, in a nutshell, I highly recommend this list for MASTER Bedroom Closets.

I encourage Home Sellers to:

  • Pack away anything they have not used in 4 months
  • Donate or give away items they have not used in a year.
  • Consider buying inexpensive hat boxes and coordinating baskets for accessories to add a little drama
  • Consider buying wood hangers or matching hangers
  • Organize shoes preferably on a rack on the floor
  • Make sure each item is facing the SAME direction
  • Leave some empty shelf space

One of my favorite tips, take a designer shopping bag from a popular store and fill with tissue. Place the shopping bag on a shelf. Closet space is especially important to women and it can be a deal breaker. Remember the importance of creating "emotional connection points".  Women will see the designer shopping bag and think "Oh, I like to shop at that store!" or "I'd LOVE to shop at that store!" followed by ..."I can see my clothes in this closet." 

 

 

Jul 13, 2009 02:36 PM
Judi Boad
SOLUTIONS REAL ESTATE - Scottsdale, AZ

Your closet tips are awesome...

Jul 14, 2009 02:22 AM
Jennifer Grace
Elk Grove, CA
Jennifer Grace

Great tips!  Should be a "MUST DO" list for all agents!

Jul 14, 2009 03:43 AM